By the year 2025, 75% of the workforce in the USA will be made up of Millennials. (Millennials are born roughly between the years of 1980-2000).

Fast facts:That means 75% of the workforce will be 40 years old or younger in 2025.That means leadership will be younger in 2025.That means that consumers and their spending habits will be younger in 2025.And all of that is starting to ramp up...now.

So what is the opportunity?

Education has the largest platform to completely change the game.

I wonder what it might look like to see the college student experience be different than ever before. For the purposes of this blog post, I'm not speaking to the way academics are taught in the classroom by the tremendously talented faculty and staff that does so. I'm speaking specifically to how life is done, lived and offered to the college students during their time on campus.

I imagine a different "experience". One that to implement will give you that "pit of the stomach I want to hurl on my shoes" feeling wondering if it will work. So much different that for it to work, we'll have to ignore a lot of naysayers and status quo lovers in order to do the hard work of launching such a thing.

And when I think about that kind of world...that kind of University...I can't help but get excited.

I can't help but smile at the thought of my three children attending "that" University.

I'll even toss out some low hanging fruit ideas of what I think it could look like.

Imagine...

Your entire existence as a college student is tracked, in real-time, with something that rivals the "MagicBand" you see taking over Disney these days. Every swipe of the wrist tracks class attendance, grades, meals, volunteer service hours, attendance at sporting events and concerts. No, not a "big brother is watching thing". It would be built FOR the student, not to limit the student. It would be incentivized to create a 4 year, digital resume of excellence. The student could share it like they would something on facebook, or Twitter, or Instagram. A prospective employer could see their growth. No more "tell me one of your strengths and one of your weaknesses" cheesy interview questions. This is their life, 24-7, over several years. Employers see right away if the student is a fit for their organization, rather than them taking a job that they end up hating...and the employer loses tons of money recruiting, hiring, training and trying to retain them.

That's a financial and cultural win for the employer.That's a cultural fit win for the employee.That's a job placement win for the University.

Isn't it fun to see the wins starting to pile up for everyone involved?

Imagine...

Parents, Faculty, Administrators, Friends...whomever...not wondering how the student is doing, if they are making it, etc... It's live. It's real-time update-level stuff. Hey, if Mom and Dad are footing the bill for tuition, giving them a shot to see how their investment is paying off BEFORE it might implode is just sound investment strategy. AND...it could save a lot of students from making some pretty crummy decisions early on. That's a win-win. Oh, and that whole retention thing colleges are concerned about. That's a win for them too.

And the wins keep coming.

Imagine...

This whole thing isn't just about 4 years in college. It goes with the student, grows with the student, as they enter the workforce. They launch a company, and because they attended a University that "gamified" and "Disney-fied" their college experience they are better equipped to offer the same game changing experience to their team.

Imagine...

A world where "wonder" is about opportunity and possibility again,not if a student was going to "make it".

This college experience is arcade not archaic.

75% of the USA Workforce will be 40 years old or younger by 2025.

Still think the current "college experience" (outside of the classroom) is preparing them for that?

I know quite a few Universities are pondering the recruitment & retention challenge.

I also know it isn't something to worry about.

It's the coolest, most amazing opportunity to launch a college experience today that will leave a legacy of impact tomorrow.

The sunset is coming (2025).The work we do before, dictates the view we have when it gets here.

It's time to create the University on a hill for all to see as a shining example of what true innovation looks like...

And ends up with the best seat in the house come 2025.

That is a sunset I can't wait to see.That is an opportunity to leave a tremendous legacy.That is a world I want for all three of my children.